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| - As a craft beer fan, I've been to a number of brewers' food/beer outlets and am used to a smallish spot with good food and, of course, the beer.
I was therefore quite taken aback to find that the Montreal convention center is the location for Unibroue's restaraunt. The place is giant in terms of square footage; during our visit, a large group of 40-50 elderly folks were being entertained by a musician at long communal tables in one of two very large rooms. We were one of two couples not associated with this group. Needless to say, the presence of this place in a convention center near a bunch of international hotels makes the atmosphere palpably corporate and touristic. This is what happens when Sapporo buys your brewery, perhaps.
However, we were there for the beer accompanying food and were certainly not disappointed in this respect. Unibroue's lineup is available on tap (about seven of their beers in this way) and all are available in bottle (340 and 750mL). Tasting flights can also be ordered. The beer speaks for itself. High quality, belgian-inspired beer that is well-crafted. Some items on the beer menu are in limited distribution in the States, so it was good to have access to them.
FF, like many restos in Montreal, offers a multi-course Table d'Hote option and a slightly more comprehensive regular menu; items overlap between the two. We ordered from the Table d'Hote menu. Duck leg confit for me; venison pot pie for Bridget. The presentation was excellent, the duck was very tasty (slightly firmer than my preference, but still juicy and could be pulled apart with the fork). Pot pie was excellent; meat was tender and savory.
The service was friendly and responsive; despite being close to closing we were not rushed. Happily, we left with a couple of bottles from one of Unibroue's limited batches.
Would we come here again? Perhaps. Given Fourquet Fourchette's location (not near anything else I like and absent a real neighborhood) and (perhaps uncomfortably large) size, and the fact that Unibroue beers are easily had at smaller establishments in Montreal like Bieres et Compagnie, it may not be necessary for a repeat experience.
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